San Jacinto Day Festival offers a step back in time

Published 7:00 pm, Saturday, April 11, 2009

Photo: Roy N. Kent

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The decisive battle for the independence of Texas was fought on April 21, 1836, on the grounds of the San Jacinto Battlefield. The ferocious battle lasted a mere 18 minutes, but the victory of General Sam Houston and his Texian soldiers over the Mexican Army will not be forgotten.

The San Jacinto Day Festival and Battle Reenactment will be held Saturday, April 25, on the 1,200-acre San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site at the San Jacinto Monument. The battle reenactment, one of the state’s largest, is complete with cannons, muskets, horses, pyrotechnics and hundreds of reenactors. The reenactment begins at 3 p.m.

This year is also the 70th anniversary of the construction of the San Jacinto Monument and Museum. The memorial, at more than 567 feet, is the tallest war memorial in the world, standing 15 feet taller than the Washington Monument. Topping the memorial is a 220-ton star of stone, steel and concrete.

The festival takes place from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and includes music, food, games, entertainment and a chance to experience history. Admission is free to the festival.

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“We appreciate Presenting Sponsor H-E-B Tournament of Champions, Rohm and Haas Texas Incorporated and the San Jacinto Day Foundation whose financial support allows us to offer this celebration of Texas’ independence free to the public,” San Jacinto Museum of History Association President Larry Spasic said in a press release. “Each year we work hand in hand with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department to coordinate this event, and this year members of the Texas State Guard will also assist us. They are the current-day version of the Texian Army who fought for our independence in 1836.”